ImPACT Applications Expands in UK with The Football Association and the IFFDC to Improve Concussion Management For Hundreds of Thousands of Athletes

PITTSBURGH and LONDON, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ImPACT Applications, Inc., developer of ImPACT®, ImPACT Pediatric®, and ImPACT Passport™, proudly announces new partnerships with the UK-based football (soccer) governing body The Football Association (The FA) and the International Football & Futsal Development Campus (IFFDC), a football (soccer) and futsal education provider focused on developing youth and professional football players.

The FA and the IFFDC will conduct baseline and post-injury neurocognitive testing using ImPACT and ImPACT Pediatric as part of their larger concussion management protocols to help well-trained medical personnel make objective return-to-play decisions for athletes. The FA began baseline testing of its women's national teams in August and the men's teams in September. Similarly, the IFFDC will use ImPACT and ImPACT Pediatric to explore the issue of head injuries in football and collect research to enhance its concussion protocol as the organization continues to devote the time needed to each individual player.

"In our efforts to develop the highest standards of player health and safety, The FA is pleased to put ImPACT Applications' software in place for its England's men's and women's national teams," said Dr. Charlotte Cowie, head of performance medicine at The FA. "This will allow for serial monitoring of neurocognitive function and provide an objective assessment tool in the management of recovery from concussion. We are grateful to ImPACT Applications for its ongoing support in helping us to implement the system."

The FA's Concussion Guidelines are based on the motto, "If in doubt, sit them out." They mandate that footballers who sustain a suspected concussion during training or a game should immediately be removed from the pitch and evaluated by a medical provider.

"Our instructors are with these athletes 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and player safety is crucial," noted Gary Sloane, director of football operations at IFFDC. "In football, players used to treat possible head injury more lightly. Now, it's viewed differently, and the IFFDC is keen on raising awareness around concussions. We wanted to work with the best partner who would take us in the right direction in planning our concussion management protocol. ImPACT Applications was the obvious choice."

The IFFDC works with 1.2 million youth and professional footballers globally ranging in age from seven to 30 years, and started phasing in 200,000 ImPACT and ImPACT Pediatric baseline tests in fall 2016.

"Students and athletes who aren't tested end up paying the cost," noted Nigel Tatlock, director, Sports & Entertainment Engagement Ltd. (SEE). "Concussion is a serious health issue, and ImPACT Applications' work can help address it. We're proud to join ImPACT Applications and the IFFDC to protect children's welfare."

SEE has partnered with ImPACT Applications and the IFFDC to help raise awareness within the education and sports sectors among organizations that would benefit from using ImPACT and ImPACT Pediatric.

"We are honored to be partnering with two strong international organizations promoting safety in the sport of football," said Michael Wahlster, chief executive officer of ImPACT Applications. "All athletes at every age and skill level deserve access to injury management protocols. We're proud of our international relationships with schools, youth sports clubs, and athletic associations. We look forward to working with The FA, the IFFDC, and SEE to raise awareness about concussion management in the UK."

About The FA

The FA is the not-for-profit, governing body of football in England which re-invests more than £100 million back into the game each year. It grows participation, promotes diversity and regulates the sport for everyone to enjoy. The FA runs 24 England teams, across men's, women's, youth and disability football, utilising the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.

About IFFDC

IFFDC is an exclusive, invitation-only, residential football education provider headquartered near Liverpool, UK with a flagship Integrated Athletic Development (IAD) USA facility in Dallas, Texas. IFFDC and its network of highly qualified and experienced coaches provide 1.2 million athletes a live-in football training alternative to assist in the development of local and non-local young footballers and futsallers that may not have found their level with an established professional club. The organization offers access to clubs at all professional levels of play worldwide through an established network.

About ImPACT Applications

ImPACT Applications, Inc. is the maker of ImPACT and ImPACT Pediatric, the only FDA-cleared concussion evaluation and management tools for ages 5-59. ImPACT® (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most widely-used and most scientifically-validated computerized concussion management tool available.  More than 7,400 high schools, 1,000 colleges and universities, 900 clinical centers, 475 Credentialed ImPACT Consultants, 200 professional teams, and select military units choose ImPACT to assist in the management of concussion. Since 2006, ImPACT has served nearly 8 million individual test takers.

For more information, visit www.impacttest.com.

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